In a much-needed and forward-thinking move, Bihar Police is planning to establish a dedicated Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Unit. This step comes as digital crimes across India, especially in semi-urban and rural states like Bihar, are rising at an alarming rate. Online frauds, identity thefts, phishing, fake investment schemes, and impersonation scams are becoming daily threats to ordinary people, from students and shopkeepers to retired citizens.

🚨 Why Is This Important?

With internet access expanding across villages and towns, more people are now online, but not everyone is equipped to recognise cyber threats. As a result, cybercriminals are targeting the unaware. Bihar has seen a significant jump in online scams, including:

  • OTP frauds
  • Job scams
  • Loan app traps
  • Fake call centre frauds
  • Data breaches and digital impersonation

The current police infrastructure is often stretched thin, with cyber complaints requiring technical expertise, digital forensics, and inter-state cooperation — something traditional police units aren’t trained for in depth.

That’s why Bihar’s proposal for a standalone Cybercrime & Cybersecurity Unit marks a significant leap forward.

🛠️ What Will the New Cyber Unit Do?

The proposed unit will:

  • 👨‍💻 Hire and train specialised personnel in cyber forensics, ethical hacking, digital law, and cryptocurrency tracking.
  • 🌐 Collaborate with national agencies like CERT-In, CBI Cyber Cell, and MeitY for high-tech crime detection.
  • 📊 Track real-time cyber threats through a centralised command and control centre.
  • 🔐 Protect sensitive citizen data and digital government services from malware and ransomware attacks.
  • 📞 Create a Cyber Helpdesk for faster complaint registration and resolution.
  • 📢 Raise public awareness through school workshops, rural outreach camps, and local-language awareness videos.

📈 What Sparked This Action?

In 2024 alone, Bihar recorded thousands of cyber fraud cases. Several FIRs related to digital loan app scams and phishing calls originating from other states (and even foreign countries) had victims in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, and Bhagalpur.

The final push reportedly came after a recent investigation linked a phishing scam in Gaya to a cross-border cybercrime ring, which used stolen Aadhaar details and cloned bank portals to siphon off funds from Jan Dhan accounts.

Bihar Police, under the direction of senior officers and in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, decided it was time to build a state-level fortress against cybercrime.

🧠 Tips for Citizens to Stay Safe from Cybercrime

As Bihar builds this unit, you can start protecting yourself today. Here are 10 essential safety tips:

  1. Never share OTPs, PINs, or passwords, even with someone claiming to be from your bank or police.
  2. Don’t click unknown links sent via SMS, WhatsApp, or email. It could be a phishing trap.
  3. Use strong, unique passwords for each online service. Change them regularly.
  4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email, social media, and banking apps.
  5. Avoid downloading unverified apps, especially for loans or jobs.
  6. Verify job or investment offers with official websites before applying or investing.
  7. Report suspicious transactions immediately to your bank and cyber helpline (📞1930).
  8. Use antivirus software and keep your phone and PC software updated.
  9. Teach your family, especially elderly parents and school children, about basic cyber hygiene.
  10. Follow Bihar Police’s Cyber Safety Alerts on social media for real-time updates.

🌟 AB Media’s Take

This initiative by the Bihar Police is timely and commendable. As cybercriminals become smarter, our defence must become stronger. But the fight against cybercrime is not only the government’s responsibility—it begins at home, on your phone, and with your awareness.

Stay informed. Stay alert. And report anything suspicious.